TL;DR:

A fancy-shmancy lip balm that hydrates with argan oil and vitamin E and has SPF 30 to protect lips from dangerous UV rays

Clé de Peau Beauté UV Protective Lip Treatment Review

I love when a product has an expiration date marked clearly on the packaging. Like my Califa Farms almond milk. And Fage Greek yogurt. It’s a reminder that these things don’t perform at optimal strength or maintain their quality in perpetuity, and in some cases — like with sunscreen — this is a very important fact to be aware of. Because an expired sunscreen doesn’t smell rancid, but it can still make you sick. And not achy-tummy sick, but basal cell carcinoma sick if it’s not protecting you from cancer-causing UV rays.

So with that…my Clé de Peau Beauté UV Protective Lip Treatment expires on December of 2019 or so says the sticker on the tube. I don’t anticipate that being a problem because at the rate I’m using this stuff, it’ll be done by the start of 2018. The silky formula contains four UV filters — avobenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene, and oxybenzone — that are clear and virtually colorless. And then a slew of lip softeners (hi, argan oil) and antioxidants (looking at you, vitamin E). There is no scent, and it leaves a velvety-matte finish on lips.

What this lip treatment does have is a hefty price tag. It will run you about the same as dinner for two — with drinks. And I know that might not be in the budget for everyone, but considering that time and time again dermatologists have told us that skin cancer on or around lips is on the rise, it is imperative to remember to protect that precious pucker of yours. And if a fancy-shmancy lip balm that you wouldn’t dare lose in the bottom of a purse because it cost $65 is how you chose to do that, then skip the dinner and spend the money. For the record, a few other beauty products that go bad even though they don’t have expiration dates on the label: mascara (toss every three months) and liquid foundation (six months and out).